Campaign Finance Practice Test

Hard money contributions: direct donations to candidates regulated by federal limits and reporting rules, distinct from unlimited independent expenditures.

Soft money: unlimited donations to federal candidates that parties may spend on express advocacy, unrestricted so long as donors are disclosed.

Independent expenditures: spending by outside groups that is not coordinated, which can be given straight to candidates as cash transfers.

Bundled Super PAC funds: contributions collected by a Super PAC and then transferred directly to candidates without being treated as contributions.

Electioneering communications: broadcast ads near elections funded by corporations, which are always capped at the same level as candidate contributions.